Electrical socket device

Details Electrical socket device Electrical socket device

1998-05-21

2000-08-29

Abrams, Neil

Electrical connectors

With supporting means for coupling part

Supporting means comprising face plate or closure member for...

439676, H01R 1360

Patent

active

061099597

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to electrical connectors of the nature of plug and socket devices, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to electrical socket devices intended to connect computers and associated apparatus to computer networks, such electrical socket devices being known as outlet ports, or wall outlet devices.


BACKGROUND ART

It is known to provide modular network wall outlets but the known devices are not without difficulties and complications as regards their manufacture and/or installation.
Conventionally the components making up the outlet devices are mounted on a face plate component adapted to be mounted on to the front of a wall plate. The face plate conventionally carries a member defining a jack plug socket, a member carrying an array of cable terminals, i.e. IDC terminals, and a printed circuit board connecting an array of contacts in the socket with the IDC terminals. In such an arrangement, the socket forming member will normally have to face in a direction opposite to that of the IDC terminals. Thus the socket will be arranged to open through the face plate while the IDC terminals will be arranged to project from the rear of the face plate so that they are accessible for connection to a network cable by an installation engineer.
It is an object of the invention to provide a network outlet device which is relatively easy to manufacture or assemble in that the main electrical components, i.e. the terminals (e.g. IDC terminals) and the socket member can be assembled on a single printed circuit board, and preferably all on the same side of the board.
It is a particular object of the invention to provide an outlet device in which the terminals are separable from the part of the device by which it is fixed in position during use, e.g. the face plate, to facilitate installation.
It is another object of the invention to provide a network outlet port which facilitates installation.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an electrically shielded network outlet port.
It is a yet further object of the invention to provide a network wall outlet made from relatively simple components.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a wall outlet which lends itself to a situation where limited space, and particularly limited depth, is available.
The outlet in accordance with the invention facilitates installation in that the assembly comprising the cover carrying the printed circuit board which in turn carries the jack socket and the electrical connectors can be wired to an electrical cable before the cover is mounted on the back box or back box-and-face plate assembly. Thus, the installation engineer can wire the outlet without having first to pass the tail of the cable through a wall plate aperture, as is normally the case.
The invention thus provides an improved electrical outlet.
The present invention is an electrical outlet device comprising a member defining a socket aperture, means defining a socket aligned with the socket aperture and having an array of electrical contacts therein and means by which the outlet device is secured in position in use, characterised by a body member having a plurality of electrical connections for conductors in a cable, and by means forming electrical connections between the cable connections and the array of electrical contacts in the socket, and in that the body member is releasably connected to the socket aperture defining member.
The socket aperture defining member may carry the means by which the outlet device is secured in position in use. The means defining the socket may be mounted on the body member. The body member may be a push fit on the socket defining member. Snap-action connections may be provided to releasably connect the body member and the socket aperture defining member. The snap-action connectors may be arranged for engaging opposed ends of the respective said members.
The socket aperture defining member may be a face plate adapted for reception in or on a wall plate to secure the outlet device

REFERENCES:
patent: 4756695 (1988-07-01), Lane
patent: 4986779 (1991-01-01), Ferrill et al.
patent: 5228869 (1993-07-01), Below
patent: 5518423 (1996-05-01), Green et al.
patent: 5695361 (1997-12-01), Elisei

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